JBL lifespan

[mandz]

hi guys, just wanna check what is the lifespan of ur JBL basefert? i heard rumours that it lasts only 6 months. is this true?

[bclee]

Base fertilisers are supposed to contain some cation exchange capacity. That means they hold +ve ions making it available to roots of plants.

IMO, it is a dynamic thing. That means even when the nutrients are being used by plants, ions floating around in the water can be held by the "fertiliser". You can "replenish" or "recharge" it with root tabs.

Just my understanding...

BC

[geoffrey]

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On 4/1/2003 9:46:31 AM

Base fertilisers are supposed to contain some cation exchange capacity. That means they hold +ve ions making it available to roots of plants.

IMO, it is a dynamic thing. That means even when the nutrients are being used by plants, ions floating around in the water can be held by the "fertiliser". You can "replenish" or "recharge" it with root tabs.

Just my understanding...

BC
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Yup, this is how I understand it too.

[FC]

Lifespan of base fert has alot to do with water exchange between substrate and the water above it. That's why heating cable comes in.

I do not have the heating cable but I find the below helps:
1) fan blow on the water surface creates temp diff and thus convection
2) vacuuming the substrate at every water change help draw dead water in substrate
3) injection of liquid fert into substrate encourage diffusion
4) healthy plants give out O2 at the roots

[mandz]

thanks all for widening my knowledge abt substrates!